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Family and friends last week mourned the death of Haines City High student Marco Gonzalez, a key player on the school's soccer team.

Marco, 17, died in a car accident May 20 on U.S. Highway 27.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Marco, who was driving a 1995 Toyota 4-Runner, was northbound on U.S. 27 when he overcorrected after switching lanes. He lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.

Marco, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle as it overturned, as were several passengers inside, an FHP report said.

Marco and passenger Manuel Gonzalez, 30, died. Five other passengers survived, the FHP reported.

Maria J. Jimenez, Marco's aunt, said the family was trying to stay positive throughout the week.

"I think God gives us a lot of strength," Jimenez said. "We want to celebrate Marco. We want to be as he would want us to be."

Marco, a sophomore, was devoted to his family and soccer, Jimenez said.

He played a significant role in helping turn Haines City's soccer team around last season. But during a November 2005 interview with the Sentinel, Marco said he wasn't going to take credit for the team's improvements.

"It's all about us as a team," Marco said.

"He valued everyone for who they were and focused on their strengths," Jimenez said. "He had a great heart in regards to his friends. He didn't discriminate. He loved everyone."

Amy L. Edwards can be reached at 863-422-3395 or aledwards@orlandosentinel.com.

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